barafu
JF-Expert Member
- Apr 28, 2013
- 6,739
- 32,866
Imetokea kwa mashirika mengi ya ndege kwa sasa kupiga marufuku abiria kupanda,kuchaji au hata kubeba mzigo wenye simu za Sumsung Galaxy Note 7.
Ambatanisho hapo inaonyesha Oman Air na RwandAir nao wamepiga marufuku hayo kwa abiria wao kutoruhusiwa kuchaji wala kubeba simu za Sunsung Galaxy Note 7 wawapo safarini.
Nini sababu ya "kitaalamu" na "kiusalama" ya zuio hili?Maana kama ni "Flight Mode" ni kitu inayotumika na kutakiwa kwa simu za aina zote,lkn hii ya Sumsung Note 7 ina maana gani??
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Exclusive: Samsung's recall of Note 7 devices hit by ban on stowing faulty phones in cargo
At a glance
Price £699
Release date 2 September 2016
CPU Octacore Exynos 8890
RAM 4GB
Storage 64GB
Battery 3,500mAh
Display 5.7in QHD
Latest News
26/09/2016: Airlines worldwide will no longer fly with faulty Galaxy Note 7 devices stowed as cargo, forcing Samsung to recall millions of its broken smartphones via boat instead.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) issued guidance for airlines earlier this month stipulating that passengers cannot turn on or charge their Note 7s during flights.
But it also forbade airlines from stowing any Note 7 devices in their holds,IT Pro can exclusively reveal.
"We issued guidelines to airlines that these devices shouldn't be shipped as cargo at all," a Civil Aviation Authority spokesman told IT Pro, saying the order came straight from the ICAO, which manages 191 member states' aviation standards.
"There's a global recall of these devices and we do not want to see these devices ... being carried by aircraft," the spokesman added. "If they are being returned to the manufacturer they will have to go by sea, they can't be flown."
Samsung issued a recall of the newly-launched Note 7 at the start of September after dozens of the smartphones caught fire or exploded around the world, with the South Korean firm blaming this on a battery issue. The voluntary recall was followed by an official recall by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Samsung has now supplied half a million replacement Note 7 phones to the US, and UK customers should have been contacted by 19 September regarding a replacement.
However, the phone maker may have a battle on its hands to repatriate the faulty devices - it takes four weeks to ship cargo by boat from the UK to South Korea.
This morning Samsung was forced to delay putting the Note 7 back on sale in South Korea from 28 September to 1 October because it needs more time to perform the global recall, which has so far seen it collect more than 2.5 million of the faulty devices.
A Samsung spokeswoman told IT Pro: "We are taking measures to minimise any impact on our business."
CCS Insight's mobile analyst, Ben Woods, called the device recall "an interesting logistical challenge", but added: "There's not a huge amount of urgency there in the grand scheme of things. The priority and focus has to be on getting the replacement devices in people's hands."
20/09/2016: Samsung is not set to resume selling the Note 7 in the US for another month, according to a leaked report.
The device’s launch has been ruined by reports of exploding handsets caused by a battery issue, with US aviation authorities telling passengers to turn off their phones on flights, and Samsung halting sales worldwide last week.
It also launched a global recall programme for the Note 7 on 2 September but has not yet confirmed when it will have fixed the issue so it can recommence sales of the phone.
However, a leaked planning document seen by Venture Beat suggests the phone will not be back on sale from US operators until 21 October.
Venture Beat said that date only relates to new sales, suggesting replacement devices obtained under Samsung’s exchange programme may arrive sooner.
New Note 7 devices will feature a different battery from Amperex Technology, the publication said, replacing the Samsung SDI batteries that proved faulty.
19/09/2016: Samsung has started its exchange programme in the UK and Ireland, letting customers return the Galaxy Note 7 amid an investigation into exploding batteries.
Anyone with an affected device can exchange their phablet from today. If you own one, you should have been contacted by your mobile provider to organise an exchange. If you haven't been contacted by today, 19 September, Samsung advises you contact your operator.
To check if your device needs to be returned, you can also enter the IMEI number into a Samsung website, but the company said it would "ask anyone with a Galaxy Note 7 to take advantage of the... exchange programme." You'll be given a new Galaxy Note 7, but this time one without the battery issue.
"Customers who exchange their existing device for a new Note 7 can be fully confident that their replacement device is not affected by the battery cell issue, courtesy of a new UX update to the battery icon," the company said. "Any Note 7 device that shows a ‘green’ battery icon (previous software version is white) on the device notification bar, the ‘Power Off’ prompt screen or the Always-On Display can be assured that the device is safe for charging. This UX update will be rolled out from tomorrow in UK and Ireland."
Samsung also said it will start rolling out a software update to Galaxy Note 7s in the UK and Ireland this week that will limit the battery charge to 60 per cent, in order to limit the risk of fires or explosions.
Samsung also pinned the problem on a manufacturing error. "An overheating of the battery cell occurred when the anode-to-cathode came into contact which is a very rare manufacturing process error," the company said. "Although this is isolated to a battery cell issue, we are prioritising the safety of our customers first, so we are voluntarily replacing Galaxy Note 7 devices with a new one."
For more details on the exchange programme, head here.
19/09/2016: Embattled Samsung is now facing a lawsuit after a Florida man alleged he suffered severe burns after a Galaxy Note 7 exploded in his trouser pocket.
Jonathan Strobel brought the case, which could be the first in the US by a Samsung user, against the South Korean company over a defect in the battery of the device.
The suit was filed a day after Samsung recalled around one million of the affected devices in the US, according to Reuters. The firm received 92 reports of batteries overheating as well as 26 reports of burns and 55 reports of property damage.
Strobel alleges that he was at a Costco store in Palm Beach Gardens on 9 September when the device exploded. He said the phone burned through his trousers and severely burned his right leg.
The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other alleged injuries, according to the report.
16/09/2016: The US safety regulator has launched a formal recall of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 after a number of fires caused property damage and injury.
Around one million of the devices are being recalled by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC), after Samsung launched its own recall at the beginning of the month.
According to the CPSC recall notice, Samsung has received 92 reports of the batteries overheating in the US, including 26 reports of burns and 55 reports of property damage, including fires in cars and a garage. It added that users “should immediately stop using and power down the recalled Galaxy Note7 devices purchased”.
Elliot Kaye, CPSC chairman, said in a press conference to journalists that the recall was necessary as the Note 7 “presents such a fire hazard”.
Kaye presented consumers with two options following the recall: get a replacement or a refund. According to the CSPC, when a customer gets a new Galaxy Note 7 this should come with a different battery from those suspected of causing fires.
Following the recall by the CSPC, Samsung also issued a statement and said it expected replacement devices to be available at most retail locations no later than 21 September.
“Although there have only been a small number of reported incidents, Samsung has taken great care to provide affected consumers with the support they need,” it said.
“Consumer safety is always our highest priority. Our collaboration with the CPSC to fast-track a voluntary recall in the US addresses safety concerns by ensuring we reach Note 7 owners quickly to exchange their devices,” said Tim Baxter, president of Samsung Electronics America. “We are asking owners to act now by powering down their Note 7 devices and receive a replacement device or a refund through our exchange program.”
13/09/16: Samsung is expected to issue a software update for the Galaxy Note 7 to help address battery fires. The code tweak will limit the phablet's charge to 60%.
Samsung has already asked owners of its recently released Galaxy Note 7 to return the phablet to the retailer they purchased it from to get a replacement. It has also warned users to power it down because of the risk of overheating leading to fires.
Samsung hasn't revealed the cause of the fires, but many of the incidents have happened while the device was charging, and the forthcoming update suggests that the issue is less likely to happen when the device is below full charge.
According to NPR, Samsung is still working on the update, and it's not clear when it will be released. The code tweak appears to only be targeted at Korea, which is Samsung's home base, and it's not been made clear if that will be extended globally.
NPR's correspondent for the region, Elise Hu, said on Twitter: "Samsung releasing software update for Galaxy Note 7 in Korea that will prevent phones from overheating by limiting battery recharges to 60%."
She added: "It's issuing this update for any users who are ignoring the recall and continuing to use their Note 7s." She added that there're now been 70 incidents of fires or melting handsets.
12/09/16: Samsung’s shares plunged dramatically today in response to the firm’s ongoing issues with its Note 7 device.
The South Korean phone manufacturer’s stock fell more than 6% after US aviation authorities warned airline passengers not to turn the devices on during flights, and Samsung itself issued a global recall of the phones.
The measures follow widespread reports of it catching fire and exploding during or after charging, which Samsung blamed on battery problems.
Telling customers to “power down their Galaxy Note 7s”, DJ Koh, president of Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business, said on Saturday: “We are expediting replacement devices so that they can be provided through the exchange program as conveniently as possible and in compliance with related regulations. We sincerely thank our customers for their understanding and patience.”
Samsung’s 15.9 trillion won ($14.3 billion) loss in value on Monday morning is Apple’s gain, however, according to research firm Ovum.
Samsung’s loss Apple just launched the iPhone 7 last week, and the Note 7 is one of its competitors as it tries to persuade people to upgrade to the device.
Daniel Gleeson, senior analyst at Ovum, told IT Pro: “The timing of the Samsung's recall could not be better for Apple as this release had the potential to be very damaging for Apple. With little excitement in the build-up to the iPhone 7, Apple was at risk of losing a sizeable chunk of its iPhone 6 user cohort.
“The iPhone 6, released in 2014, was a huge hit as it was Apple's first large screen smartphone, and all those people will be looking to upgrade their devices in the next 3-6 months. Samsung's stumble will almost certainly ensure the iPhone 7 will retain almost all of those customers.”
09/09/16: US authorities have warned airline passengers not to switch on or charge their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones while flying following the recall of the device after battery problems were causing them to catch fire.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also advised against packing the phones into any checked-in luggage in an attempt to avoid any problems in the air.
Some of the world's biggest airlines, including Qantas and Virgin Australia, have also told customers not to charge or use their Note 7 phone during flights.
Samsung launched an official exchange programme for the device earlier this week after dozens of reports of it exploding or burning.
Anyone who has bought a Note 7 and wants to swap the device can do so under this scheme.
07/09/2016: Samsung has finally launched an official exchange programme for the ill-fated Note 7, following pressure from critics.
Samsung's latest device, the Galaxy Note 7, has proved to be 'explosively popular' in more ways than one. Not only did unexpectedly high demand lead to problems in the supply chain, but a fault with the device's batteries caused some handsets to catch fire and explode.
"There have been a small number of cases reported globally and we are currently conducting a thorough inspection with our suppliers to identify possible affected batteries in the market," the company wrote in a notice announcing the scheme.
The company has been forced to issue a full recall. Sales of the Note 7 have been stopped worldwide, and beginning on 19 September, any existing Note 7 customers will be able to swap their existing device with a replacement model.
"We acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause in the market but this is to ensure that Samsung continues to deliver the highest quality products to our customers," the company said. "We are working closely with our partners to ensure the replacement experience is as convenient and efficient as possible."
The company is advising all Note 7 users to take advantage of the exchange programme, which is being operated in conjunction with network operators.
The timing of the fault is doubly unfortunate, as it comes at the same time that main rival Apple takes the wraps off its latest handset, the iPhone 7.
06/09/2016: Consumer Reports has called for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 to be officially recalled and for it to come off sale after it was revealed 35 devices have exploded while or just after charging.
The consumer rights organisation approached the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to see whether Samsung has issued a full recall, but as of Friday, it hadn't. This type of recall would mean anyone who had bought a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 would have to return their smartphone and all retailers would have to stop selling it immediately, not just the manufacturer.
“Samsung should immediately initiate an official recall with the Consumer Product Safety Commission given the serious nature of the safety problem it identified with the Galaxy Note 7,” said Maria Rerecich, Consumer Reports' director of electronics testing.
Samsung has already suspended sales of the flagship smartphone and offered a voluntary "return and replace" scheme, but the consumer group now thinks it should completely recall the device rather than just replace it with another smartphone that risks having the same issue.
Some retailers are still selling the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, despite the Korean manufacturer preventing sales on its own website.
05/09/2016: A mass recall of the Galaxy Note 7 could cost Samsung 820 billion South Korean Won, equivalent to £556 million, it has been claimed.
Hwang Min-sung, an analyst at Samsung Securities, told the Korea Heraldthe recall and replacement of the devices would cost 120 billion Won (£81.5 million) in itself, with the rest of the loss caused by a reduction in sales, which will be halved from 6 million units to 3 million in Q3. The following quarter, the recall will cost 400 billion Won (£271 million), he estimated.
"In this case, it could cut Samsung's operating profit by 400 billion Won, given its operating margin and selling prices," Hwang told the Korea Herald.
"The recall is a negative factory in the short term but will surely be a wise decision because other alternative measures are unlikely to help Samsung regain confidence from consumers and investors," he added.
02/09/2016: Samsung has stopped selling the Note 7 in the UK after a battery problem caused some people’s devices to burn and explode.
The South Korean firm did not state how long sales will be on hold for but said it took the decision to protect customers’ safety.
Blaming the 35 reported cases of exploding Note 7s on a “battery cell issue”, Samsung said it is working with suppliers to identify which batteries could be at fault.
A Samsung spokesperson’s statement today read: “Samsung is committed to producing the highest quality products and we take every incident report from our valued customers very seriously. In response to recently reported cases of the new Galaxy Note7, we conducted a thorough investigation and found a battery cell issue.
“To date (as of September 1) there have been 35 cases that have been reported globally and we are currently conducting a thorough inspection with our suppliers to identify possible affected batteries in the market. However, because our customers’ safety is an absolute priority at Samsung, we have stopped sales of the Galaxy Note7.”
However, Samsung said it will replace Note 7 phones that UK customers have already bought with new ones over the coming weeks, telling them to phone the customer service team on 0330 7261000.
The spokesperson added: “We acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause in the market but this is to ensure that Samsung continues to deliver the highest quality products to our customers. We are working closely with our partners to ensure the replacement experience is as convenient and efficient as possible.”
See related
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 review
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands on
02/09/2016: Samsung's share price has plummeted after it has come to light that some Galaxy Note 7 tablets have exploded, causing injuries and damage to personal effects.
Shares tumbled by 3.5% in one day after the stories surfaced, although this stabilised a little to around 2% by the end of the day.
At least seven explosions have been reported and all are related to the battery charging, catching fire while actually plugged into the mains or just after they've finished juicing up.
"I came home after work, put it to charge for a little bit before I had class, went to put it on my waist and it caught fire," one customer said.
Although he wasn't injured in the explosion, his carpet was badly burnt.
Another added: "There was another explosion of the Galaxy Note 7. It was my friend's phone. A Samsung employee checked the site and he is currently in talks over the compensation with Samsung. You should use its original charger just in case and leave the phone far away from where you are while charging."
Samsung said: "Shipments of the Galaxy Note 7 are being temporarily delayed for additional quality assurance inspections."
The news comes as Apple is due to announce its latest flagship smartphone, the iPhone 7 next week.
"The timing could not be worse for Samsung," Roberta Cozza, research director at Gartner told the BBC.
"Samsung was back on track with its premium phones after the Galaxy S7 earlier this year. If it plans on issuing a recall, it will have to be done quickly, as such issues can be very damaging. The Galaxy Note 7 was very well received when it was launched earlier this month, so this is a delicate moment."
31/08/2016: Samsung Note 7 owners have complained of the device crashing just days after unboxing.
A string of messages posted to Android forum XDA Developers suggests multiple users who download the system update when they first start up their phone find it then begins freezing and restarting.
One user, shadowpartner, said: “Went down to the local service centre on launch day to get this problem checked out and already saw quite a few Note 7 preorder owners there for the same issue. The technicians did a firmware reflash and it seemingly solved the issue until the next day where the freezing began again. It got progressively worse throughout the day. Now my phone has to be kept off as it would keep restarting by itself. The phone is pretty much unusable now.”
Facebook user Tara McElmurry said: “So my brand new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is randomly rebooting, the battery drains exceptionally fast, and it will not stay connected to cell network. Neither T-Mobile or Samsung will do anything about it since I'm out of the US for several weeks.”
So far Samsung has not made any official comment on the claims, thoughTech Times reports that only users with the international version of the Note 7, which features Samsung’s Exynos chip, have experienced problems.
IT Pro approached Samsung for comment.
01/08/2016: The final leaks of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 have arrived, just ahead of its debut tomorrow at Samsung's latest 'Unpacked' event.
Coming once again from French leakster Steve 'OnLeaks' Hemmerstoffer, the images are exceptionally high-quality and are most likely official press images from Samsung itself.
Assuming they are authentic, the shots offer final confirmation of many heavily-rumoured design features, including the curved edge screen and iris scanner. It also shows a range of colour options, including black, white and silver.
The phone is due to be officially revealed tomorrow, and IT Pro will be on the scene to cover the Galaxy Note 7's launch, as well as provide a hands-on look at the new device.
25/07/2016: The rumoured iris scanner on the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 will act as an alternative to the fingerprint reader, but will also be quite limited, new reports suggests.
Images purporting to show how the iris scanner will work detail its potential, but also its shortcomings, The Stack and Android Authorityreport.
It works by using infrared light to scan your iris, capturing an image of it in three lenses, and using this picture to determine your identity - along with photos it takes of your face.
However, the iris scanner may not work if you wear glasses or colour contact lenses, if your eyes are narrow or puffy, if you tilt or shake the phone, if the iris recognition camera is covered by a screen protector, in strong sunlight or low light, or if it is humid or the phone is in water, among other situations.
20/07/2016: The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 will feature a USB Type C socket, new leaks have now confirmed.
The image, which comes courtesy of notorious and prolific leakster Evan Blass, appears to be a press render of the Note 7.
In addition to looking highly polished and somewhat official, the picture also shows a device sporting a stylus-based wallpaper that has cropped up in previous leaks.
With a clearly visible USB-C socket, the Note 7 also has twin curved edges and comes with an S Pen stylus that is apparently unchanged from its previous iteration. It's also sporting a charming new 'Blue Coral' colour scheme.
18/07/2016: New leaks suggest that the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 will borrow the Galaxy S7's always-on display, among other features.
The images, obtained by Dutch site TechTastic, appear to show the Galaxy Note 7 displaying the time, date, battery life and other icons on an otherwise powered down screen.
Samsung's devices use OLED display technology, which means that only the active pixels need to be powered. This means the always-on display uses a minimal amount of battery power.
The pictures also feature a curved-edge screen similar to the one seen on the Galaxy S7 Edge. This has been heavily rumoured in the run-up to the phone's reveal, and is a fairly unsurprising addition.
A larger array of sensor apertures is also visible on the front of the device, including extra cutouts in addition to the ones normally seen on Samsung's devices.
This has fuelled speculation that the Galaxy Note 7 will be the first Samsung phone to feature an iris scanner for security and authentication purposes.
14/07/2016: Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 may be released on the day it is officially announced, a new report suggests.
The South Korean company has already confirmed it will host an event in New York on 2 August to officially reveal the phablet, which is being aligned to unify it with its mobile cousin, the Samsung Galaxy S7.
Samsung’s decision to release the Galaxy Note 7 on 2 August is so it coincides with the start of the upcoming 2016 Olympics Games in Rio, according to Korean IT site ET News.
The Korean site spoke to Professor Chang Seok-Kwon, who said mobile manufacturers Samsung and LG are able to increase the rate of their device releases because their “affiliates take care of manufacturing processes”.
13/07/2016: Samsung has officially sent out the invitations for the launch of the Galaxy Note 7 at its upcoming 'Unpacked' event.
Taking place on 2 August in New York, simultaneous launch events will also be held in London and Rio de Janeiro, in addition to a global live stream.
The invitation confirms some of the details about the new device, starting with the name. It's definitely called the Note 7, and Samsung has explained why.
As many suspected, the principal reason is to bring the Note range in line with the rest of Samsung's portfolio - specifically the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. The company has stated that it is also in the interests of minimising consumer confusion about the latest Note device.
The S Pen stylus will also be making a return, as will the Note range's trademark jumbo screen, although there's no word yet on whether or not it will be curved.
07/07/2016: A successor to Samsung’s Gear VR headset may be unveiled alongside the Galaxy Note 7, a report predicts.
The second generation VR headset was spotted on an Indian import database, called Zauba, by Dutch tech site, Galaxy Club (translated by Google Translate).
The import site lists an as-yet-unused model code, SM-R323, for a Gear VR headset.
The first ever Gear VR, for the Note 4, had the model number R320. R321 was used for the S6, and the SM-R322 is the current consumer edition of the unit.
The Dutch site suspects that the Galaxy Note 7 will come with a USB-C connection, which has previously been rumoured. This next-generation I/O port would require a fresh Gear VR model, or at the very least an adaptor, in order for it to be connected to the device.
Gear VR is powered by US virtual reality firm, Oculus VR.
Earlier this year, at unveiled its Galaxy S7 smartphone at the Mobile World Congress trade show, Samsung invited attendees to view part of its press conference in VR using its Gear VR headset.
Samsung is expected to unveil its new phablet at a press event on 2 August.
Hands On
IT Pro has taken a look at the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 at the phone's official unveiling in London. Simply put, it's one of the best smartphones released this year, with software upgrades like improved biometric security, and a more appealing version of its Android overlay TouchWiz, accompanying improvements in hardware such as more storage and stylus support. But you can check out our official hands-on to find out exactly what we thought about the Korean giant's latest phablet.
Price and release date
The Galaxy Note 7 was officially revealed at a special event on 2 August, taking place simultaneously in London, New York and Rio. As expected, Samsung has skipped over the Note 6 entirely, in order to bring the device in line with its flagship Galaxy S7 range. The Note 7 will go on general sale on 2 September, but will be available for preorder on 16 August.
Samsung has neglected to release any pricing information for the Note 7. However, based on previous Note device prices (discounting the import-only Note 5), we can safely assume that the Note 7 will retail for somewhere in the region of £650.
Specs and hardware
Like previous Galaxy devices before it, the Note 7 is sporting different components depending on which territory you buy it in. In the UK, it will be fitted with the same own-brand Samsung Exynos 8890 octo-core CPU as the Galaxy S7, while other areas will get Qualcomm Snapdragon models.
The Note 7 comes with a 4GB RAM allocation, and while that's not quite as much as the rumoured 6GB amount, it still rivals some of the best-equipped phones on the market. Having said that, there are still rumours that a 6GB variant with increased storage capacity could turn up in China.
Speaking of storage, this is one area in which the Note 7 excels. Samsung has upped the basic storage allocation to 64GB, which is a sizeable chunk to begin with. On top of this, the Note 7's storage can be expanded via MicroSD card, up to a maximum of 256GB.
The Note 7 also uses the Vulkan graphics API, a set of runtime libraries that offers lower overheads and CPU usage to deliver better gaming performance. This means that even intensive 3D mobile gaming should be silky smooth.
The device carries the same camera as the Galaxy S7, rather than an upgraded model as was rumoured. Given that the S7's snapper is still one of the best in its class, however, that's no bad thing.
Display
The Note 7 has a whopping 5.7in screen, which fits in with the device's focus on productivity. However, thanks to clever refinement of the Galaxy S7 design template, it doesn't feel markedly bigger than its stablemate.
Like most other Samsung devices, it's fitted with a Super AMOLED panel, and bears the same curved edges as the S7 Edge (this time protected by Gorilla Glass 5). Samsung has also wisely opted to stick with a QHD display for the Note 7 rather than bumping the resolution up to 4K.
Battery and charging
Just as rumours suggested, the Note 7 will be the first Galaxy device to use the new USB Type C charging standard. This reversible socket type has many benefits, but is unfortunately not compatible with MicroUSB chargers and accessories.
However, in a classy and commendable move from Samsung, the Note 7 will come with a MicroUSB-to-USB Type C adapter in the box, meaning you won't have to replace all of your existing accessories straight out of the gate.
The battery itself is actually lower in capacity than the one used in the Galaxy S7 Edge, with a 3,500mAh capacity rather than 3,600mAh. This is slightly worrying given that it's got a larger screen and more features to power, but hopefully, Samsung has implemented some form of software optimisation in order to address this.
S Pen
As is tradition with Note devices, the Note 7's S Pen stylus is the star of the show. It's been slightly redesigned, with a smaller 0.7mm nib giving improved accuracy and precision. Samsung has also collaborated with stylus specialists Wacom on its design.
The various apps associated with the S Pen's functions have combined into the new Samsung Notes app. Hovering over the screen with the S Pen will once again bring up a list of shortcuts, which allow users to take notes, scribble on a screenshot, record instant gifs and even translate words using Google Translate. Notes can also be pinned to the always-on display.
Just like previous generations, the S Pen slides into a housing on the bottom of the phone, and - most importantly - the unbelievably satisfying clicker introduced with the Note 5's stylus has made a return.
Design and features
The Galaxy Note 7 is the first major flagship release to include an iris scanner for biometric authentication. Supplementing the existing fingerprint reader, this allows users to register their iris print and log in just by looking at their device, similar to Windows Hello.
In addition to this, Samsung is introducing a secure folder, which is a place to keep all the most private information on your device, protected by biometric security.
Elsewhere, the IP68 waterproofing reintroduced by the Galaxy S7 has also found its way to the Note 7, meaning it's protected against immersion in 1.5m of water for up to five minutes. The Note 7 weighs just 169g and is a mere 7.9mm thick. It's also perfectly symmetrical and feels almost indistinguishable from the Galaxy S7 Edge when held in the hand.
Chanzo: Everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Ambatanisho hapo inaonyesha Oman Air na RwandAir nao wamepiga marufuku hayo kwa abiria wao kutoruhusiwa kuchaji wala kubeba simu za Sunsung Galaxy Note 7 wawapo safarini.
Nini sababu ya "kitaalamu" na "kiusalama" ya zuio hili?Maana kama ni "Flight Mode" ni kitu inayotumika na kutakiwa kwa simu za aina zote,lkn hii ya Sumsung Note 7 ina maana gani??
======
Exclusive: Samsung's recall of Note 7 devices hit by ban on stowing faulty phones in cargo
At a glance
Price £699
Release date 2 September 2016
CPU Octacore Exynos 8890
RAM 4GB
Storage 64GB
Battery 3,500mAh
Display 5.7in QHD
Latest News
26/09/2016: Airlines worldwide will no longer fly with faulty Galaxy Note 7 devices stowed as cargo, forcing Samsung to recall millions of its broken smartphones via boat instead.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) issued guidance for airlines earlier this month stipulating that passengers cannot turn on or charge their Note 7s during flights.
But it also forbade airlines from stowing any Note 7 devices in their holds,IT Pro can exclusively reveal.
"We issued guidelines to airlines that these devices shouldn't be shipped as cargo at all," a Civil Aviation Authority spokesman told IT Pro, saying the order came straight from the ICAO, which manages 191 member states' aviation standards.
"There's a global recall of these devices and we do not want to see these devices ... being carried by aircraft," the spokesman added. "If they are being returned to the manufacturer they will have to go by sea, they can't be flown."
Samsung issued a recall of the newly-launched Note 7 at the start of September after dozens of the smartphones caught fire or exploded around the world, with the South Korean firm blaming this on a battery issue. The voluntary recall was followed by an official recall by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Samsung has now supplied half a million replacement Note 7 phones to the US, and UK customers should have been contacted by 19 September regarding a replacement.
However, the phone maker may have a battle on its hands to repatriate the faulty devices - it takes four weeks to ship cargo by boat from the UK to South Korea.
This morning Samsung was forced to delay putting the Note 7 back on sale in South Korea from 28 September to 1 October because it needs more time to perform the global recall, which has so far seen it collect more than 2.5 million of the faulty devices.
A Samsung spokeswoman told IT Pro: "We are taking measures to minimise any impact on our business."
CCS Insight's mobile analyst, Ben Woods, called the device recall "an interesting logistical challenge", but added: "There's not a huge amount of urgency there in the grand scheme of things. The priority and focus has to be on getting the replacement devices in people's hands."
20/09/2016: Samsung is not set to resume selling the Note 7 in the US for another month, according to a leaked report.
The device’s launch has been ruined by reports of exploding handsets caused by a battery issue, with US aviation authorities telling passengers to turn off their phones on flights, and Samsung halting sales worldwide last week.
It also launched a global recall programme for the Note 7 on 2 September but has not yet confirmed when it will have fixed the issue so it can recommence sales of the phone.
However, a leaked planning document seen by Venture Beat suggests the phone will not be back on sale from US operators until 21 October.
Venture Beat said that date only relates to new sales, suggesting replacement devices obtained under Samsung’s exchange programme may arrive sooner.
New Note 7 devices will feature a different battery from Amperex Technology, the publication said, replacing the Samsung SDI batteries that proved faulty.
19/09/2016: Samsung has started its exchange programme in the UK and Ireland, letting customers return the Galaxy Note 7 amid an investigation into exploding batteries.
Anyone with an affected device can exchange their phablet from today. If you own one, you should have been contacted by your mobile provider to organise an exchange. If you haven't been contacted by today, 19 September, Samsung advises you contact your operator.
To check if your device needs to be returned, you can also enter the IMEI number into a Samsung website, but the company said it would "ask anyone with a Galaxy Note 7 to take advantage of the... exchange programme." You'll be given a new Galaxy Note 7, but this time one without the battery issue.
"Customers who exchange their existing device for a new Note 7 can be fully confident that their replacement device is not affected by the battery cell issue, courtesy of a new UX update to the battery icon," the company said. "Any Note 7 device that shows a ‘green’ battery icon (previous software version is white) on the device notification bar, the ‘Power Off’ prompt screen or the Always-On Display can be assured that the device is safe for charging. This UX update will be rolled out from tomorrow in UK and Ireland."
Samsung also said it will start rolling out a software update to Galaxy Note 7s in the UK and Ireland this week that will limit the battery charge to 60 per cent, in order to limit the risk of fires or explosions.
Samsung also pinned the problem on a manufacturing error. "An overheating of the battery cell occurred when the anode-to-cathode came into contact which is a very rare manufacturing process error," the company said. "Although this is isolated to a battery cell issue, we are prioritising the safety of our customers first, so we are voluntarily replacing Galaxy Note 7 devices with a new one."
For more details on the exchange programme, head here.
19/09/2016: Embattled Samsung is now facing a lawsuit after a Florida man alleged he suffered severe burns after a Galaxy Note 7 exploded in his trouser pocket.
Jonathan Strobel brought the case, which could be the first in the US by a Samsung user, against the South Korean company over a defect in the battery of the device.
The suit was filed a day after Samsung recalled around one million of the affected devices in the US, according to Reuters. The firm received 92 reports of batteries overheating as well as 26 reports of burns and 55 reports of property damage.
Strobel alleges that he was at a Costco store in Palm Beach Gardens on 9 September when the device exploded. He said the phone burned through his trousers and severely burned his right leg.
The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other alleged injuries, according to the report.
16/09/2016: The US safety regulator has launched a formal recall of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 after a number of fires caused property damage and injury.
Around one million of the devices are being recalled by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC), after Samsung launched its own recall at the beginning of the month.
According to the CPSC recall notice, Samsung has received 92 reports of the batteries overheating in the US, including 26 reports of burns and 55 reports of property damage, including fires in cars and a garage. It added that users “should immediately stop using and power down the recalled Galaxy Note7 devices purchased”.
Elliot Kaye, CPSC chairman, said in a press conference to journalists that the recall was necessary as the Note 7 “presents such a fire hazard”.
Kaye presented consumers with two options following the recall: get a replacement or a refund. According to the CSPC, when a customer gets a new Galaxy Note 7 this should come with a different battery from those suspected of causing fires.
Following the recall by the CSPC, Samsung also issued a statement and said it expected replacement devices to be available at most retail locations no later than 21 September.
“Although there have only been a small number of reported incidents, Samsung has taken great care to provide affected consumers with the support they need,” it said.
“Consumer safety is always our highest priority. Our collaboration with the CPSC to fast-track a voluntary recall in the US addresses safety concerns by ensuring we reach Note 7 owners quickly to exchange their devices,” said Tim Baxter, president of Samsung Electronics America. “We are asking owners to act now by powering down their Note 7 devices and receive a replacement device or a refund through our exchange program.”
13/09/16: Samsung is expected to issue a software update for the Galaxy Note 7 to help address battery fires. The code tweak will limit the phablet's charge to 60%.
Samsung has already asked owners of its recently released Galaxy Note 7 to return the phablet to the retailer they purchased it from to get a replacement. It has also warned users to power it down because of the risk of overheating leading to fires.
Samsung hasn't revealed the cause of the fires, but many of the incidents have happened while the device was charging, and the forthcoming update suggests that the issue is less likely to happen when the device is below full charge.
According to NPR, Samsung is still working on the update, and it's not clear when it will be released. The code tweak appears to only be targeted at Korea, which is Samsung's home base, and it's not been made clear if that will be extended globally.
NPR's correspondent for the region, Elise Hu, said on Twitter: "Samsung releasing software update for Galaxy Note 7 in Korea that will prevent phones from overheating by limiting battery recharges to 60%."
She added: "It's issuing this update for any users who are ignoring the recall and continuing to use their Note 7s." She added that there're now been 70 incidents of fires or melting handsets.
12/09/16: Samsung’s shares plunged dramatically today in response to the firm’s ongoing issues with its Note 7 device.
The South Korean phone manufacturer’s stock fell more than 6% after US aviation authorities warned airline passengers not to turn the devices on during flights, and Samsung itself issued a global recall of the phones.
The measures follow widespread reports of it catching fire and exploding during or after charging, which Samsung blamed on battery problems.
Telling customers to “power down their Galaxy Note 7s”, DJ Koh, president of Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business, said on Saturday: “We are expediting replacement devices so that they can be provided through the exchange program as conveniently as possible and in compliance with related regulations. We sincerely thank our customers for their understanding and patience.”
Samsung’s 15.9 trillion won ($14.3 billion) loss in value on Monday morning is Apple’s gain, however, according to research firm Ovum.
Samsung’s loss Apple just launched the iPhone 7 last week, and the Note 7 is one of its competitors as it tries to persuade people to upgrade to the device.
Daniel Gleeson, senior analyst at Ovum, told IT Pro: “The timing of the Samsung's recall could not be better for Apple as this release had the potential to be very damaging for Apple. With little excitement in the build-up to the iPhone 7, Apple was at risk of losing a sizeable chunk of its iPhone 6 user cohort.
“The iPhone 6, released in 2014, was a huge hit as it was Apple's first large screen smartphone, and all those people will be looking to upgrade their devices in the next 3-6 months. Samsung's stumble will almost certainly ensure the iPhone 7 will retain almost all of those customers.”
09/09/16: US authorities have warned airline passengers not to switch on or charge their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones while flying following the recall of the device after battery problems were causing them to catch fire.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also advised against packing the phones into any checked-in luggage in an attempt to avoid any problems in the air.
Some of the world's biggest airlines, including Qantas and Virgin Australia, have also told customers not to charge or use their Note 7 phone during flights.
Samsung launched an official exchange programme for the device earlier this week after dozens of reports of it exploding or burning.
Anyone who has bought a Note 7 and wants to swap the device can do so under this scheme.
07/09/2016: Samsung has finally launched an official exchange programme for the ill-fated Note 7, following pressure from critics.
Samsung's latest device, the Galaxy Note 7, has proved to be 'explosively popular' in more ways than one. Not only did unexpectedly high demand lead to problems in the supply chain, but a fault with the device's batteries caused some handsets to catch fire and explode.
"There have been a small number of cases reported globally and we are currently conducting a thorough inspection with our suppliers to identify possible affected batteries in the market," the company wrote in a notice announcing the scheme.
The company has been forced to issue a full recall. Sales of the Note 7 have been stopped worldwide, and beginning on 19 September, any existing Note 7 customers will be able to swap their existing device with a replacement model.
"We acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause in the market but this is to ensure that Samsung continues to deliver the highest quality products to our customers," the company said. "We are working closely with our partners to ensure the replacement experience is as convenient and efficient as possible."
The company is advising all Note 7 users to take advantage of the exchange programme, which is being operated in conjunction with network operators.
The timing of the fault is doubly unfortunate, as it comes at the same time that main rival Apple takes the wraps off its latest handset, the iPhone 7.
06/09/2016: Consumer Reports has called for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 to be officially recalled and for it to come off sale after it was revealed 35 devices have exploded while or just after charging.
The consumer rights organisation approached the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to see whether Samsung has issued a full recall, but as of Friday, it hadn't. This type of recall would mean anyone who had bought a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 would have to return their smartphone and all retailers would have to stop selling it immediately, not just the manufacturer.
“Samsung should immediately initiate an official recall with the Consumer Product Safety Commission given the serious nature of the safety problem it identified with the Galaxy Note 7,” said Maria Rerecich, Consumer Reports' director of electronics testing.
Samsung has already suspended sales of the flagship smartphone and offered a voluntary "return and replace" scheme, but the consumer group now thinks it should completely recall the device rather than just replace it with another smartphone that risks having the same issue.
Some retailers are still selling the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, despite the Korean manufacturer preventing sales on its own website.
05/09/2016: A mass recall of the Galaxy Note 7 could cost Samsung 820 billion South Korean Won, equivalent to £556 million, it has been claimed.
Hwang Min-sung, an analyst at Samsung Securities, told the Korea Heraldthe recall and replacement of the devices would cost 120 billion Won (£81.5 million) in itself, with the rest of the loss caused by a reduction in sales, which will be halved from 6 million units to 3 million in Q3. The following quarter, the recall will cost 400 billion Won (£271 million), he estimated.
"In this case, it could cut Samsung's operating profit by 400 billion Won, given its operating margin and selling prices," Hwang told the Korea Herald.
"The recall is a negative factory in the short term but will surely be a wise decision because other alternative measures are unlikely to help Samsung regain confidence from consumers and investors," he added.
02/09/2016: Samsung has stopped selling the Note 7 in the UK after a battery problem caused some people’s devices to burn and explode.
The South Korean firm did not state how long sales will be on hold for but said it took the decision to protect customers’ safety.
Blaming the 35 reported cases of exploding Note 7s on a “battery cell issue”, Samsung said it is working with suppliers to identify which batteries could be at fault.
A Samsung spokesperson’s statement today read: “Samsung is committed to producing the highest quality products and we take every incident report from our valued customers very seriously. In response to recently reported cases of the new Galaxy Note7, we conducted a thorough investigation and found a battery cell issue.
“To date (as of September 1) there have been 35 cases that have been reported globally and we are currently conducting a thorough inspection with our suppliers to identify possible affected batteries in the market. However, because our customers’ safety is an absolute priority at Samsung, we have stopped sales of the Galaxy Note7.”
However, Samsung said it will replace Note 7 phones that UK customers have already bought with new ones over the coming weeks, telling them to phone the customer service team on 0330 7261000.
The spokesperson added: “We acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause in the market but this is to ensure that Samsung continues to deliver the highest quality products to our customers. We are working closely with our partners to ensure the replacement experience is as convenient and efficient as possible.”
See related
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 review
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands on
02/09/2016: Samsung's share price has plummeted after it has come to light that some Galaxy Note 7 tablets have exploded, causing injuries and damage to personal effects.
Shares tumbled by 3.5% in one day after the stories surfaced, although this stabilised a little to around 2% by the end of the day.
At least seven explosions have been reported and all are related to the battery charging, catching fire while actually plugged into the mains or just after they've finished juicing up.
"I came home after work, put it to charge for a little bit before I had class, went to put it on my waist and it caught fire," one customer said.
Although he wasn't injured in the explosion, his carpet was badly burnt.
Another added: "There was another explosion of the Galaxy Note 7. It was my friend's phone. A Samsung employee checked the site and he is currently in talks over the compensation with Samsung. You should use its original charger just in case and leave the phone far away from where you are while charging."
Samsung said: "Shipments of the Galaxy Note 7 are being temporarily delayed for additional quality assurance inspections."
The news comes as Apple is due to announce its latest flagship smartphone, the iPhone 7 next week.
"The timing could not be worse for Samsung," Roberta Cozza, research director at Gartner told the BBC.
"Samsung was back on track with its premium phones after the Galaxy S7 earlier this year. If it plans on issuing a recall, it will have to be done quickly, as such issues can be very damaging. The Galaxy Note 7 was very well received when it was launched earlier this month, so this is a delicate moment."
31/08/2016: Samsung Note 7 owners have complained of the device crashing just days after unboxing.
A string of messages posted to Android forum XDA Developers suggests multiple users who download the system update when they first start up their phone find it then begins freezing and restarting.
One user, shadowpartner, said: “Went down to the local service centre on launch day to get this problem checked out and already saw quite a few Note 7 preorder owners there for the same issue. The technicians did a firmware reflash and it seemingly solved the issue until the next day where the freezing began again. It got progressively worse throughout the day. Now my phone has to be kept off as it would keep restarting by itself. The phone is pretty much unusable now.”
Facebook user Tara McElmurry said: “So my brand new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is randomly rebooting, the battery drains exceptionally fast, and it will not stay connected to cell network. Neither T-Mobile or Samsung will do anything about it since I'm out of the US for several weeks.”
So far Samsung has not made any official comment on the claims, thoughTech Times reports that only users with the international version of the Note 7, which features Samsung’s Exynos chip, have experienced problems.
IT Pro approached Samsung for comment.
01/08/2016: The final leaks of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 have arrived, just ahead of its debut tomorrow at Samsung's latest 'Unpacked' event.
Coming once again from French leakster Steve 'OnLeaks' Hemmerstoffer, the images are exceptionally high-quality and are most likely official press images from Samsung itself.
Assuming they are authentic, the shots offer final confirmation of many heavily-rumoured design features, including the curved edge screen and iris scanner. It also shows a range of colour options, including black, white and silver.
The phone is due to be officially revealed tomorrow, and IT Pro will be on the scene to cover the Galaxy Note 7's launch, as well as provide a hands-on look at the new device.
25/07/2016: The rumoured iris scanner on the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 will act as an alternative to the fingerprint reader, but will also be quite limited, new reports suggests.
Images purporting to show how the iris scanner will work detail its potential, but also its shortcomings, The Stack and Android Authorityreport.
It works by using infrared light to scan your iris, capturing an image of it in three lenses, and using this picture to determine your identity - along with photos it takes of your face.
However, the iris scanner may not work if you wear glasses or colour contact lenses, if your eyes are narrow or puffy, if you tilt or shake the phone, if the iris recognition camera is covered by a screen protector, in strong sunlight or low light, or if it is humid or the phone is in water, among other situations.
20/07/2016: The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 will feature a USB Type C socket, new leaks have now confirmed.
The image, which comes courtesy of notorious and prolific leakster Evan Blass, appears to be a press render of the Note 7.
In addition to looking highly polished and somewhat official, the picture also shows a device sporting a stylus-based wallpaper that has cropped up in previous leaks.
With a clearly visible USB-C socket, the Note 7 also has twin curved edges and comes with an S Pen stylus that is apparently unchanged from its previous iteration. It's also sporting a charming new 'Blue Coral' colour scheme.
18/07/2016: New leaks suggest that the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 will borrow the Galaxy S7's always-on display, among other features.
The images, obtained by Dutch site TechTastic, appear to show the Galaxy Note 7 displaying the time, date, battery life and other icons on an otherwise powered down screen.
Samsung's devices use OLED display technology, which means that only the active pixels need to be powered. This means the always-on display uses a minimal amount of battery power.
The pictures also feature a curved-edge screen similar to the one seen on the Galaxy S7 Edge. This has been heavily rumoured in the run-up to the phone's reveal, and is a fairly unsurprising addition.
A larger array of sensor apertures is also visible on the front of the device, including extra cutouts in addition to the ones normally seen on Samsung's devices.
This has fuelled speculation that the Galaxy Note 7 will be the first Samsung phone to feature an iris scanner for security and authentication purposes.
14/07/2016: Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 may be released on the day it is officially announced, a new report suggests.
The South Korean company has already confirmed it will host an event in New York on 2 August to officially reveal the phablet, which is being aligned to unify it with its mobile cousin, the Samsung Galaxy S7.
Samsung’s decision to release the Galaxy Note 7 on 2 August is so it coincides with the start of the upcoming 2016 Olympics Games in Rio, according to Korean IT site ET News.
The Korean site spoke to Professor Chang Seok-Kwon, who said mobile manufacturers Samsung and LG are able to increase the rate of their device releases because their “affiliates take care of manufacturing processes”.
13/07/2016: Samsung has officially sent out the invitations for the launch of the Galaxy Note 7 at its upcoming 'Unpacked' event.
Taking place on 2 August in New York, simultaneous launch events will also be held in London and Rio de Janeiro, in addition to a global live stream.
The invitation confirms some of the details about the new device, starting with the name. It's definitely called the Note 7, and Samsung has explained why.
As many suspected, the principal reason is to bring the Note range in line with the rest of Samsung's portfolio - specifically the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. The company has stated that it is also in the interests of minimising consumer confusion about the latest Note device.
The S Pen stylus will also be making a return, as will the Note range's trademark jumbo screen, although there's no word yet on whether or not it will be curved.
07/07/2016: A successor to Samsung’s Gear VR headset may be unveiled alongside the Galaxy Note 7, a report predicts.
The second generation VR headset was spotted on an Indian import database, called Zauba, by Dutch tech site, Galaxy Club (translated by Google Translate).
The import site lists an as-yet-unused model code, SM-R323, for a Gear VR headset.
The first ever Gear VR, for the Note 4, had the model number R320. R321 was used for the S6, and the SM-R322 is the current consumer edition of the unit.
The Dutch site suspects that the Galaxy Note 7 will come with a USB-C connection, which has previously been rumoured. This next-generation I/O port would require a fresh Gear VR model, or at the very least an adaptor, in order for it to be connected to the device.
Gear VR is powered by US virtual reality firm, Oculus VR.
Earlier this year, at unveiled its Galaxy S7 smartphone at the Mobile World Congress trade show, Samsung invited attendees to view part of its press conference in VR using its Gear VR headset.
Samsung is expected to unveil its new phablet at a press event on 2 August.
Hands On
IT Pro has taken a look at the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 at the phone's official unveiling in London. Simply put, it's one of the best smartphones released this year, with software upgrades like improved biometric security, and a more appealing version of its Android overlay TouchWiz, accompanying improvements in hardware such as more storage and stylus support. But you can check out our official hands-on to find out exactly what we thought about the Korean giant's latest phablet.
Price and release date
The Galaxy Note 7 was officially revealed at a special event on 2 August, taking place simultaneously in London, New York and Rio. As expected, Samsung has skipped over the Note 6 entirely, in order to bring the device in line with its flagship Galaxy S7 range. The Note 7 will go on general sale on 2 September, but will be available for preorder on 16 August.
Samsung has neglected to release any pricing information for the Note 7. However, based on previous Note device prices (discounting the import-only Note 5), we can safely assume that the Note 7 will retail for somewhere in the region of £650.
Specs and hardware
Like previous Galaxy devices before it, the Note 7 is sporting different components depending on which territory you buy it in. In the UK, it will be fitted with the same own-brand Samsung Exynos 8890 octo-core CPU as the Galaxy S7, while other areas will get Qualcomm Snapdragon models.
The Note 7 comes with a 4GB RAM allocation, and while that's not quite as much as the rumoured 6GB amount, it still rivals some of the best-equipped phones on the market. Having said that, there are still rumours that a 6GB variant with increased storage capacity could turn up in China.
Speaking of storage, this is one area in which the Note 7 excels. Samsung has upped the basic storage allocation to 64GB, which is a sizeable chunk to begin with. On top of this, the Note 7's storage can be expanded via MicroSD card, up to a maximum of 256GB.
The Note 7 also uses the Vulkan graphics API, a set of runtime libraries that offers lower overheads and CPU usage to deliver better gaming performance. This means that even intensive 3D mobile gaming should be silky smooth.
The device carries the same camera as the Galaxy S7, rather than an upgraded model as was rumoured. Given that the S7's snapper is still one of the best in its class, however, that's no bad thing.
Display
The Note 7 has a whopping 5.7in screen, which fits in with the device's focus on productivity. However, thanks to clever refinement of the Galaxy S7 design template, it doesn't feel markedly bigger than its stablemate.
Like most other Samsung devices, it's fitted with a Super AMOLED panel, and bears the same curved edges as the S7 Edge (this time protected by Gorilla Glass 5). Samsung has also wisely opted to stick with a QHD display for the Note 7 rather than bumping the resolution up to 4K.
Battery and charging
Just as rumours suggested, the Note 7 will be the first Galaxy device to use the new USB Type C charging standard. This reversible socket type has many benefits, but is unfortunately not compatible with MicroUSB chargers and accessories.
However, in a classy and commendable move from Samsung, the Note 7 will come with a MicroUSB-to-USB Type C adapter in the box, meaning you won't have to replace all of your existing accessories straight out of the gate.
The battery itself is actually lower in capacity than the one used in the Galaxy S7 Edge, with a 3,500mAh capacity rather than 3,600mAh. This is slightly worrying given that it's got a larger screen and more features to power, but hopefully, Samsung has implemented some form of software optimisation in order to address this.
S Pen
As is tradition with Note devices, the Note 7's S Pen stylus is the star of the show. It's been slightly redesigned, with a smaller 0.7mm nib giving improved accuracy and precision. Samsung has also collaborated with stylus specialists Wacom on its design.
The various apps associated with the S Pen's functions have combined into the new Samsung Notes app. Hovering over the screen with the S Pen will once again bring up a list of shortcuts, which allow users to take notes, scribble on a screenshot, record instant gifs and even translate words using Google Translate. Notes can also be pinned to the always-on display.
Just like previous generations, the S Pen slides into a housing on the bottom of the phone, and - most importantly - the unbelievably satisfying clicker introduced with the Note 5's stylus has made a return.
Design and features
The Galaxy Note 7 is the first major flagship release to include an iris scanner for biometric authentication. Supplementing the existing fingerprint reader, this allows users to register their iris print and log in just by looking at their device, similar to Windows Hello.
In addition to this, Samsung is introducing a secure folder, which is a place to keep all the most private information on your device, protected by biometric security.
Elsewhere, the IP68 waterproofing reintroduced by the Galaxy S7 has also found its way to the Note 7, meaning it's protected against immersion in 1.5m of water for up to five minutes. The Note 7 weighs just 169g and is a mere 7.9mm thick. It's also perfectly symmetrical and feels almost indistinguishable from the Galaxy S7 Edge when held in the hand.
Chanzo: Everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy Note 7
